Congratulations to the first country in the world to make feminine products free!

Scotland has become the first country in the world to make feminine products free.

A new law called the Period Products Act went into effect on Monday that requires schools, colleges and government facilities to make tampons and sanitary pads available for free. Although Scotland has been funding free menstrual products for women since 2017, the Period Products Act makes the practice a legal requirement.

The law also establishes a phone app that helps direct women to the free products.

“Providing access to free period products is fundamental to equality and dignity, and removes the financial barriers to accessing them,” says Scottish Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison. “This is more important than ever at a time when people are making difficult choices due to the cost of living crisis and we never want anyone to be in a position where they cannot access period products.”

Here in the U.S., there are 17 states and Washington, D.C., that have laws requiring period products be free for students while in school. But, that still leaves almost 17 million people living in poverty who menstruate in the U.S., with about two-thirds having to choose between buying food or menstrual products. Congress has yet to recognize any legislation on this topic, and it is past time that they do!

Looking for more information? Click here to connect to The Alliance for Period Supplies, a nonprofit working to end period poverty,

Susan Saunders 8/17/22